This week in Island history

The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from theJamestown Press. The news of 100 years ago camefrom the collection of the Newport Historical Society.

100 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, Nov. 24, 1909

The no-school signal was rung this morning for the smaller children and the one-session signal this noon for those who went to school, so that the last day before Thanksgiving vacation was rather abbreviated. Neither the public nor the parochial schools will have sessions tomorrow or Friday.

From the Newport Daily News, Nov. 29, 1909

Arrangements have been made to open the unused north school house as a waiting room for the school children who congregate in that vicinity daily to take the conveyance which brings them to the school in the village.

75 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, Nov. 28, 1934

By the close vote of 110 to 100, the special financial town meeting held in Jamestown Nov. 24 authorized the sale of 109 parcels of land for failure to pay taxes. It was specified that the sale price be at least the taxes due, plus expenses and interest. The sum of $6,000 was voted, 96 to 21, for unemployed relief in order to qualify for state and federal grants.

From the Newport Daily News, Nov. 30, 1934

(At the school committee meeting) bills were ordered paid as listed. The tuition bill of Rogers High pupils for the first term was $3,189.38. The committee commented on the better marks as shown by the Rogers first report cards of the year, and that fewer pupils showed lack of application than last year. …The committee studied figures recently released by the State Education Service, showing per capita (pupil) cost per year. Based on the total average membership of all Jamestown pupils, both grades and high, Jamestown spent $86.18 per pupil in the school year 1933-34, and stands eighth in a list of 39 towns and cities in the state. Jamestown dropped from fifth to eighth place.

50 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, Nov. 24, 1959

The possibility of assessing intangible taxes on residents having large investments in bonds, stocks and securities was considered at a meeting of the Jamestown town council last night.

Councilmen expressed concern at the increase in traffic accidents on the island and a proposal was discussed for an 8 p.m. curfew in the Ft. Getty area, which appears to offer a challenge to youths. The police department was directed to prosecute violators on this town property to the fullest extent of the law, and to intensify its patrol of the area.

Referring to the proposed Newport-Jamestown bridge, (the council president) pointed out that discussion on such a span has been going on for years but said Jamestown would have little to say about it, because planning would be at a state level. He said a Jamestown representative should sit on the Bridge Authority.

25 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News,Nov. 27, 1984

(The Town Council) granted Rollins Cable Co. permission to use public rights-of-way to construct the cable television system which will serve Jamestown. From the Newport Daily News,Nov. 30, 1984

The cross-island road connecting the new Jamestown Bridge with the Newport Bridge will have a green median with some type of barrier. The Jamestown Design Study Committee voted Nov. 7 for a 25 to 30-foot median strip in order to have a planted separation rather than a hard jersey barrier divider.

15 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press,Nov. 23, 1994

Despite rainfall last Saturday that raised the height of the North Pond reservoir by four inches, the town may have to buy drinking water from North Kingstown by the first week of December.

10 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press,Nov. 24, 1999

The Harbor Management Commission wants to make $1.15 million worth of repairs to the town’s waterfront property, and it wants one-third of those costs to come from the town’s general fund. But whether or not the Town Council decides to ante up $375,000, at the rate of $75,000 a year over five years, remains to be seen.

(photo caption) Second graders at the Jamestown Melrose Avenue School on Tuesday presented their annual Thanksgiving play.